1948
Political science researchers met at the International Conference on Methods in Political Science in Paris on 16 September 1948, to discuss the creation of an international association aimed at establishing a cross-disciplinary and intercultural dialogue among political scientists worldwide. They intended to establish an organization equipped with various resources: an international documentation center, a research bulletin, an abstract service, translations of fundamental documents, global conferences, research travel grants, and incentives for international research projects.
The professionals who met for the first time in Paris on 16 September 1948 embraced this mission in the summary of their proceedings:
The large and expanding sphere of government activity in all countries, and the emotions and interests which are aroused by politics, make it highly desirable that both political ideas and political practice should receive disinterested study. It is the aim and purpose of political science to provide such study. It is legitimate to believe that by this means the political insight and discrimination of the people may be increased, a more informed public opinion brought to bear on political problems, and the work of government improved at all levels.*
For the participants of the 16 September meeting, successfully completing this ambitious project required opening up a dialogue between political scientists from various countries and sub-disciplines. Although the concept behind the project was simple, it posed significant practical challenges. This was because it required carving out a niche in the global landscape for a field that lacked recognition as an independent discipline outside of the United States. Moreover, it necessitated collaboration among political philosophers, jurists, historians, and economists, all of whom shared diverse perspectives. In short, it demanded creating a semblance of coherence out of disparate ideas.
*UNESCO, International Conference on Methods in Political Science, 13 September 1948–16 September 1948. Statement issued by the members of the Conference, 16 September 1948. Paris, UNESCO, 28 April 1949.
